2018 Princess 75 MY
Luxury yachts are sometimes described as being like penthouses, but the Princess 75 is more like a wonderful floating loft with an expanse of windows around an elegant living and dining area.
The windows are huge, reaching down nearly to floor level next to the dining table to port—so low, in fact, that the outside bulwarks are notched downwards so they don’t block the view. You’re surrounded by walls of windows because the headroom is around 6 feet 8 inches. Just like a loft. Forward, the helm is on a raised platform with a pair of luxurious leather bucket seats, with an L-shaped seating area.
We’re all growing weary of the phrase, “resin infusion.” Yeah, yeah—it makes yachts lighter, stronger, faster, more fuel efficient. But the Princess 75 is a perfect example of what the process really means to you: more room. Stronger stringers inside the hull bottom mean they can be smaller, so the floors are lower, and headroom is increased in the cabins and on the main deck.
The U-shaped galley is open to the salon and dining area. In the dining area, the beautifully crafted and gloriously glossy table slides on hidden tracks toward the window, turning it into a buffet when needed and creating even more space mid-salon.
The owners of this 75 have a separate entry off the salon with a curving staircase, brightened by a hullside window. The master suite spans the full beam but, once again, resin infusion allows it to add inches in width and height once wasted on stringers. A centerline double berth is surrounded by lots of flat floor space, with the usual settee and desk on each side. Twin hanging lockers line the entry to the spacious head and a large shower.
Visitors are surprised to find that the Princess 75 is a four-stateroom, four-head yacht. The lower deck has a VIP stateroom forward with a raised island berth, oversized windows in the hull, and a private head with shower stall. Aft to starboard is another VIP stateroom with a large double berth and private access to another head with shower. There is yet another cabin to port with twin berths and a head with shower.
The flybridge is simply huge, and the deck can be configured several ways. Up front is the nerve center, of course, with a slightly offset helm notable for a pair of leather pedestal seats, with comfy guest lounges on each side. A U-shaped bar is just aft to port. Opposite the bar is a dinette with teak table for alfresco meals.
Power for our test 75 was a pair of 1,800-horsepower MAN V12 diesels; Caterpillar C32s with either a 1,622-horsepower or 1,723-horsepower rating can be optioned, but most 75s are getting the MAN upgrade. Consider this: The MANs are moving 52 tons of suede and marble and luxury at 36 knots.
The engine room on this Princess is a delight. There’s plenty of walkway space between the two MANs, and a pair of upgraded 29-kilowatt Onan gensets are equally accessible.
It should be apparent at this point that I loved the Princess 75 MY. She exudes style and élan, and the incredible openness of the salon glows with natural light. —Chris Caswell
[dt_fancy_title title=”Specifications” title_size=”h3″ title_color=”title”]
LOA: 80’9”
BEAM: 18’11”
DRAFT: 5’8”
DISPL.: 105,160 lb.
FUEL: 1,585 gal.
WATER: 356 gal.
STANDARD POWER: 2/1,622-hp CAT C32
PRICE: Upon request